Rafa:

Shelvey has quality, he has vision, he makes passes that strikers like behind the defenders...I don’t see many of these players in the England team

BENITEZ INSISTS JONJO DESERVES THREE LIONS PLAYMAKER ROLE

JONJO SHELVEY has been backed to become the playmaker England are missing.

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez insists his midfielder offers a unique creative option.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate admitted this week he lacked a Paul Gascoigne-type player able to unlock mean defences at international level.

And as Shelvey prepares to make a comeback from injury against Arsenal today, Benitez believes he is worthy of being given a chance by Southgate.

“Shelvey has quality, he has the vision, he can make these passes that strikers really like behind the defenders,” said Benitez (right).

“In a team, or squad, I don’t see many of this kind of player.

“Why England? He has the potential to play there. With midfielders, one like Jonjo is a different option.

“I’m not saying he should play every game but he offers something different.

“For me, he is a key player because he plays in a different way. “Does that mean he is perfect? No, but he’s a good player. It’s Southgate’s decision. I don’t need to push anyone. If he was asking me about Shelvey, I would say yes.” Shelvey signed for Liverpool when Benitez was Anfield boss and the Spaniard needs a big performance from the 26-year-old against the Gunners to secure Toon’s first win of the season. His weakness is not getting more assists or goals but Benitez said: “He’s more mature and more focused on what he needs to do. If you were doing 10 things wrong with him and 20 things right, now it’s five wrong and 25 right. So he is getting better because he is more mature.

“He will score goals because he’s good at shooting from outside of the box. That’s something he can definitely add to his game.

“But the main thing for him is not to score goals, it’s to dictate the pace of the game. That’s what he can add and what’s making him a better player.

“He has to manage the game. He has the technical ability.”